Linda Spiegelberg

Publications (2)3.21 Total impact

• Article: The effects of heparan sulphate mimetic RGTA-OTR4120 on irradiated murine salivary glands.

  Linda Spiegelberg, Urville M Djasim, Johan W van Neck, Eppo B Wolvius, Karel G H van der Wal
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  ABSTRACT: This study focuses on the potential of ReGeneraTing Agent OTR4120 (RGTA-OTR4120) to treat radiation-induced damage of salivary glands. RGTAs are biopolymers designed to mimic the effects of heparan sulphate, thereby stimulation tissue repair and regeneration. C3H mice were irradiated with a single dose of 15 Gy in the head and neck region. RGTA-OTR4120 was injected 24 h after radiotherapy, followed by weekly injections. At 2, 6 and 10 weeks after radiotherapy, salivary flow rates were measured and animals were sacrificed to obtain parotid and submandibular glands for histology. Periodic acid Schiff stain was performed to visualize mucins that are produced by acinar cells. Amylase and total protein content were measured in saliva samples. Salivary flow rates were increased at 2 weeks, but not at 6 and 10 weeks after radiotherapy with RGTA-OTR4120 administration, compared to irradiated controls. Two and 10 weeks after radiotherapy, the mucin production activity of acinar cells was increased under influence of RGTA administration. RGTA-OTR4120 did not influence amylase or total protein secretion. RGTA-OTR4120 administration has a positive effect on salivary flow rates in irradiated mice on the short term. The effect was absent 10 weeks after radiotherapy, while at that time point, mucin producing activity of acinar cells was elevated by RGTA-OTR4120 administration. Given these results and the advantages of RGTA use in irradiated patients, further investigation on the potential of this drug to treat radiation-induced salivary gland damage, alone or in combination with other drugs, such as amifostine, is suggested.
  Journal of Oral Pathology and Medicine 01/2012; 41(6):477-83. · 1.63 Impact Factor
• Article: Hyperbaric oxygen therapy in the management of radiation-induced injury in the head and neck region: a review of the literature.

  Linda Spiegelberg, Urville M Djasim, Han W van Neck, Eppo B Wolvius, Karel G van der Wal
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  ABSTRACT: Radiotherapy is generally used in the treatment of malignant tumors in the head and neck region. It causes a hypoxic, hypocellular, and hypovascular environment that leads to injury to surrounding normal tissue, both acute and chronic, ranging from xerostomia to osteoradionecrosis. These side effects are debilitating and greatly influence quality of life in these patients. Hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) therapy is clinically used to prevent or treat these side effects by enhancing oxygen pressure and thereby regeneration. Although this therapy is widely applied, its mechanism of action is still poorly understood, and controversy exists in the literature about its clinical use. This review therefore aims to analyze the existing experimental and clinical research on this topic. A systematic search was performed in PubMed for experimental and clinical studies conducted regarding the use of HBO therapy in previously irradiated tissue, in the period from January 1990 to June 2009. Experimental research is scarce, and clinical studies are especially lacking in terms of randomized controlled studies. Although discussions on the subject are ongoing, most studies suggest a beneficial role for HBO in previously irradiated tissue. Further research, both experimental and clinical, is necessary to unravel the working mechanism of HBO therapy and validate its clinical use.
  Journal of oral and maxillofacial surgery: official journal of the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons 08/2010; 68(8):1732-9. · 1.58 Impact Factor